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Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
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Export growth: Thailand’s commerce ministry targets US$288 billion by 2024
The Commerce Ministry of Thailand has established an export growth goal for next year, aiming for an increase of 1.99%, which equates to approximately US$288 billion or 10 trillion baht. This information was shared by permanent commerce secretary, Keerati Rushchano, following a meeting attended by Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, other ministry heads and representatives from the private sector. The gathering…
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Dried fish maw seized by Thai customs in smuggling operation
A staggering 40.38 kilogrammes of dried fish maw, a species nearing extinction, were seized in a smuggling operation from Mexico, worth an estimated 58 million baht. Panthong Loikunnan, a consultant for tax development and management, and spokesperson for the Customs Department revealed the Thailand Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Srettha Thavisin, has implemented stringent policies for the Customs Department…
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Thailand tourism council to allocate visitor fees
The Tourism Council of Thailand plans to allocate a tourism fund, garnered from fees collected from foreign visitors, predominantly for the improvement of the tourism sector by state agencies. The fund, according to Surawat Akaraworamat, the Vice-President of the Tourism Council, is being prepared for implementation as soon as the government greenlights the project. Three subcommittees have been working relentlessly…
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Thailand sees 5% tourism expenditure rise despite high living costs
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) predicts a 5% surge in tourism expenditure during this year’s Loy Krathong festival, amounting to a total of 6.1 billion baht. The anticipated increase comes despite the country’s locals exercising caution due to escalating living costs. TAT forecasts that the festival will witness around 2.04 million domestic journeys, a 10% rise from the previous…
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Wedding gift woes: Ex-boyfriend’s 1140 baht sparks online debate
A bride was delighted to receive a large red envelope wedding gift from her ex-boyfriend, the content of which totalled 233 yuan. Despite the sum not being substantial, it displayed sincerity, causing some online commenters to be alarmed, suggesting the amount harbours an ominous meaning. The narrative of inviting former lovers to weddings occasionally provides comedic tales, largely due to…
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Goat carcasses spark disease outbreak concerns in Prachuap Khiri Khan
Five goat carcasses were found discarded on the roadside in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, raising fears of a disease outbreak. Residents alerted the animal health officials to investigate the situation. Yesterday, a resident, rummaging for old items, discovered several goat carcasses dumped in a roadside ditch along the Pranburi-Cha-Am bypass at kilometre marker 43-600, northbound near a vehicle turnaround and…
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Rayong resident scoops 6 million baht jackpot in Thai government lottery
A resident from Khao Chamao district in Rayong province hit the jackpot, winning the first prize in the Thai government lottery. The 50 year old Rayong resident, Chai Chet, claimed his fortune of 6 million baht after dreaming of his late grandfather. The Thai government lottery’s results were announced yesterday, with the winning number for the first prize being 557990.…
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Unexpected love story: Woman finds true connection on the streets
A 28 year old woman was evicted from her home by her mother for refusing to attend a matchmaking event, leading her to sleep on the street. In this unexpected love story, she met an audacious young man who proposed to be her boyfriend. The woman was discovered sleeping on the pavement instead of her comfortable bedroom at home. She…
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Fueling frustration: Thailand Energy Minister alarmed as petrol prices play a seesaw despite promised relief
Peeraphan Salirathaviphak, Thailand’s Minister of Energy, raised concerns about the constant fluctuations in petrol prices, which have seen a continuous rise over the past two days, despite a recent government announcement of a 2 baht per litre reduction. In a statement made at the Government House at 1pm this afternoon, Peeraphan argued that petrol prices should not fluctuate like stocks…
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Rayong: Help needed to make Christmas special for HIV-affected children
In a heartfelt appeal from the Camillian Social Centre in Rayong, they shed light on the lives of the 45 children under their care who are either living with HIV or affected by it. The centre has been organising a cherished annual tradition since 2006, where these children are taken to Big C Rayong for a special Christmas shopping trip.…
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Worming trouble: Japanese man finds tapeworm after eating Thai-style raw meat
A Thai doctor issued a warning to both locals and foreigners after a Japanese man contracted a tapeworm from eating Thai-style raw meat dishes. The doctor, Sukhumphan Kaocharoen, shared the story of his Japanese patient on the Facebook page Health Online by Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Doctor, yesterday, November 15. The doctor said the Japanese patient informed him that he…
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Nationwide crackdown puts the brakes on illegal exhaust pipes, curbs street racing in Thailand
A nationwide crackdown on the production and sale of illegal exhaust pipes for motorcycles took place today. The operation, led by the Royal Thai Police’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), targeted 21 locations across 11 provinces. The mission aimed to curb street racing activities, especially as winter season trips by groups of young people are on the rise. The CIB, headed…
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Northeast Thailand: Villagers flock to Ya Kok shrine for lottery luck
Residents of the village of Mab Krad, Khok Krachai, Khon Buri, and Nakhon Ratchasima, are gathering at the Ya Kok shrine to seek good fortune for the upcoming lottery draw. This follows the appearance of the second-prize lottery number. Residents offer worship items including savoury and sweet food like pork heads, boiled chicken, and beverages. They lay their purchased lottery…
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Iguana invasion: Wild population surge puts Thai officials on edge, sparks import halt pondering
The increased iguana population in the wild across numerous provinces in Thailand has provoked the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to consider halting the importation of the species. Attapon Charoenchansa, the department’s director-general, revealed yesterday that the decision comes on the heels of an uptick in iguana sightings in natural habitats and urban areas. “The burgeoning…
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Northeast Thailand: Giant python causes alarm in Surin chicken coop
A colossal python, exceeding 4 metres in length and as thick as a leg, caused a scare in a chicken coop in Surin‘s Khuha Sawan subdistrict. The incident occurred on November 2, leading to the rousing of a rescue team from the Ban Raeng Subdistrict Municipality to assist. The rescue workers, equipped with venomous animal-handling tools, responded swiftly to aid…
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Chon Buri: Loan-sharking couple arrested following deadly shooting
A couple, involved in a loan-sharking gang, were arrested following a shooting that resulted in the death of a 45 year old fruit vendor named Itthipol (surname withheld). The incident occurred near a convenience store on Sukhumvit Road, Soi 109, Plutaluang, Sattahip, Chon Buri. The suspects, 29 year old Somchai Homkaraket, and Ratchadaphon Sirirat, also 29 years old, were apprehended…
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Chinese student steals show at sports festival in backless dress
A female student at Jiangxi Normal University in China‘s Jiangxi province recently stole the show wearing a backless evening dress at a university sports festival, earning herself the nickname goddess. As she hurried onto the field, her long backless dress fluttered in the wind, drawing the attention of all present. The university stadium was packed as most of the students…
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Decapitated Thai man’s head found in water tank, murderer remains at large
Following the murder of a Thai man in the southern province of Surat Thani, police finally located his missing head after five days of extensive search. However, the identity of the killer remains unknown. The lifeless body of Sangiam Penrum, a 53 year old man, was discovered outside his residence in Surat Thani on November 11. Sangiam had been decapitated,…
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Tragic three-vehicle collision in northern Thailand claims young man’s life
A shocking three-vehicle collision occurred at the Mae Tam intersection, resulting in the tragic death of a young man who was found in the wreckage of his pickup truck. At 2.30am today, local Phayao police and emergency rescue teams rushed to the scene following reports of the major incident. Investigations revealed that the deceased was a 34 year old Peerapat.…
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Vietnamese investor-led network raided in Thailand for false milk powder sales
A Vietnamese investor-led network, falsely advertising and selling a specialised milk powder with exaggerated health benefits, was raided by the Royal Thai Police (RTP). The authorities seized more than 42 million baht in assets and accused the network of misusing the name of a renowned former national football player, Piyapong Pue-on, in their marketing. The operation took place at 10am…
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Good cop, bad fall: Chinese policewoman’s rescue mission turns into accusations and yuan showdown
A Chinese policewoman who aided an elderly man who had fallen in the street was met with accusations and a hefty compensation demand of 13,000 yuan (65,500 baht), leading her to reveal her true identity as a police officer, silencing her accusers. The incident occurred recently in Tianjin, China when a policewoman, on her way to work, came across a fallen…
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Royal Thai Army to pay over 2 million baht compensation for Lahu tribe defender’s death
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has been ordered to pay over 2 million baht in compensation to the family of Chaiyaphum Pa-sae, a human rights defender from the Lahu tribe, as ruled by the Supreme Court today. This case stems from an incident in 2017 where Chaiyaphum was shot dead by military officials at a checkpoint in Chiang Mai. Despite…
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From rubber to riches: Thai farmer’s melon metamorphosis in southern Thailand reaps sweet success
A rubber plantation farmer transformed his life by rooting out rubber trees and converting his land into a greenhouse for melon farming in Khuan Kalong District, Satun Province. The venture proved to be more profitable than anticipated, turning him from a low-income farmer into an exemplar of agricultural success. Previously a rubber plantation owner, Somsak Jantrakul decided to repurpose his…
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Thai man forces daughter to drink alcohol and watch porn before raping her (video)
A Thai father reportedly forced his 12 year old daughter to drink alcohol and watch porn before he raped her. The alleged rapist father was also accused of sexually assaulting his 15 year old daughter. The victim’s uncle, Noom, took the matter to the social media influencer, Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet, and asked him to help process the legal charges against…
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Vietnamese family dispute over children’s health goes viral
The troubling case of a Vietnamese family in dispute has been reported by the popular Docnhanh platform. The husband claims his wife had been cruelly denying their children water, leading to their illness. However, the wife counter-argued, stating he had been forcing their offspring to regularly drink salt water under the guise of treatment. Previously, the father, referred to as…
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Burglary busters: Thalang police nab duo, bringing relief to southern Thailand’s crime-weary community
In a series of successful home burglary crackdowns, Thalang police apprehended two suspects in Thepkrasattri, in southern Thailand. This recent breakthrough in the investigation came as a relief to the local community, which had been plagued by a spate of break-ins and robberies. The two men, 41 year old Anon “Nont” Somphet, a resident of Moo 4, Thepkrasattri, and 44…
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National artist Chalermchai Kositpipat turns impromptu photographer at Rong Khun Temple
A delightful incident unfolded at Rong Khun Temple in Chiang Rai, where a foreign couple sought help for a souvenir photo from Thailand national artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. The couple unknowingly asked Chalermchai, National Artist in Visual Arts (Painting), donned in full motorcycling gear, to capture their moment. The artist obliged, capturing their moment in front of the temple he had…
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Baby boom: Thailand minister aims to boost nation’s population with Give Birth Great World campaign.
Thailand’s Public Health Minister is set to increase the population in Thailand by encouraging Thais to have more children in a campaign called, Give Birth Great World. Cholnan Sikaew revealed in a meeting within the ministry yesterday, November 15, that the average fertility rate of women across the world would reduce to 1.7 children per woman by 2100 if the…
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Down under dilemma: Australian arrested at Phuket Airport with cocaine stash hidden in passport
A 26 year old Australian national found himself in hot water upon his arrival at Phuket International Airport. The arrest came about after a small quantity of cocaine was discovered hidden within his passport by vigilant immigration officers. The young man, whose name was conspicuously absent from the first reports released by the Phuket Immigration Checkpoint officers, was apprehended in…
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Hamas agrees to release hostages in Israel-Gaza strip negotiations
The Hamas group has agreed in principle to release at least 50 women and children held in Israel, in exchange for approximately 240 foreign and Israeli nationals currently detained in the Gaza Strip. The agreement is now under consideration by Israel. According to Arab diplomats, these negotiations took place in Qatar, with the country also acting as a mediator between…
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